I'm soo confused - or my chicken is - help - Australorp hen or roo

[Tikichicken]

The more I look into this, the more confused I get. I picked up a 7 week old Black Australorp "pullet" from a local farm in April. She did develop faster than the other two birds I got, but they are all different breeds. Just as her comb and wattle started to turn red and I thought I'd be having eggs soon, she/he has started a kind of crowing in the morning - EARLY morning - and I'm in the city. Now I may be having chicken soon! (just kidding, these are pets). It's not a real cocka doodle do and I originally thought she might be trying to lay, but it's going on every day now - just err errr in the am. She/He is definately the dominant one in a rooster free(?) flock of 3. Anyway, here's a photo log of her growth...

7 weeks

10 weeks

12 weeks

15 weeks

Soooo.... ....Mary Ann or Mary ANDY

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

I can see some shiny rooster feathers. Sorry. He's an Andy.

 

[SpeckledPullet]

I'd say roo. Not only did he develop fast, but look at the carriage. Also, a lot of young roosters make that sad crow ... it will get better LOL.

 

[TeriyakiChicken]

Beautiful Boy

 

[CountyLine]

Quote:
I didn't know this but, do hens not have shiny feathers? Learning all the time

 

[stellacat]

Are you sure that is an australorp? I mean look at the tail carriage.

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Hmm, I am going to say hen. Except the crowing.... Maybe a rooster? I don't know!

But, for comparison here is my 16 week old australorp that I am pretty sure is a pullet:

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
I didn't know this but, do hens not have shiny feathers? Learning all the time

Hens have more dull feathers along their back, hackle, and saddle areas. Look along his back - you'll see a few of those really shiny, pointed rooster feathers.

 

[chicken farmer 1997]

it looks like a rooster, i raise chickens and i only got 5 roosters out of 83 chickens total.

 

[featherz]

Pretty sure OP has a pic in another thread that clearly shows saddle feathers on this chickie.. I say Roo.

Same chicken, right tiki?